Table Saw Safety in the Workshop

Follow the rules when it comes to table saw safety in your workshop, including using a table saw, binding rules, maintaining control of the table saw, staying alert around machinery and subtle hazards when using a table saw.

Sizing a strip on table saw.

ERIC O'CONNELL

Basic hearing and eye protection is step one.

PHOTO: ERIC O'CONNELL

Using a miter gauge to control the workpiece during a crosscut.

ERIC O'CONNELL

Avoid using the fence to guide a piece that is wider than it is long.

ERIC O'CONNELL

If the strip you're cutting off is less than 1 1/2-inches wide, you can use a push stick to apply pressure against the fence, as shown in photo 2.

ERIC O'CONNELL

Clamp the stop block to the fence near the front of the table (photo 5), so that you can reference the wood for the cut without anything pushing the cut piece into the back of the blade.

ERIC O'CONNELL

Measure from the blade to the block (photo 4) and secure the fence.

ERIC O'CONNELL

You need an extra long push stick, as shown in photo 9 (see Image Gallery), to get the material all the way past the blade.

ERIC O'CONNELL

Feather boards (photo 6) are handy to help hold the wood against the fence.

ERIC O'CONNELL

You might also consider buying a ripping guide like the one in photo 8.

ERIC O'CONNELL

Commercial feather boards are available; I have one that locks in place in the miter gauge slot and features a metal arm that helps hold the wood down on the tabletop as well (photo 7).

ERIC O'CONNELL

There are several versions available, but they all work similarly. Spring-loaded rollers press the wood down and toward the fence and roll in only one direction, eliminating the risk of kickback.

Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

At MOTHER EARTH NEWS, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS for only $12.00 (USA only).